As the oldest city in South Africa, Cape Town is filled with history and the best museums around. From the city’s past to its hope for tomorrow, Cape Town’s museums offer world-class experiences. Whether you’re looking to learn more about the city’s history, an art fan or simply eager to learn; you’re sure to find a museum catered to your curiosities. If you’re looking for a day of discovery and inspiration, the following museums will offer that and more.
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Iziko South African Museum 🏛


The Iziko South African Museum, located in the historic Company’s Gardens, was founded in 1825 and remains one of the most popular attractions in Cape Town. The museum displays over 1.5 million artefacts ranging from prehistoric fossils to stone tools made over 120,000 years ago. The museum showcases the country’s diversity from San rock art to marine life to a state-of-the-art planetarium.
A standout feature is the iconic Whale Well, where massive whale skeletons and casts hang from the ceiling, visible from every floor. The Iziko Planetarium and Digital Dome is located adjacent to the museum, providing a stunning astronomy experience, it is also very popular with kids! The Iziko South African Museum gives guests an educational and entertaining visit with leisurely strolls or informational guided tours!
Price: Museum, R40 – R60 and the Planetarium R70 – R100
Iziko South African Museum and Planetarium Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, Saturday and Sunday, 8.30 am to 4 pm (Planetarium is closed on Mondays)
Address: 25 Queen Victoria St, Gardens, Cape Town, 8001
Website:https://www.iziko.org.za/museums/south-african-museum/
Contact: 021 481 3800
Robben Island Museum 🌅

The Robben Island Museum is one of South Africa’s most significant historical sites, offering insight into the country’s struggle for freedom. Located off Cape Town’s coastline, Robben Island, is known globally as the prison where Nelson Mandela was held. Today, it operates as a museum and UNESCO World Heritage Site, preserving freedom fighters’ legacy and educating visitors on injustices.
The island is accessible by ferry from the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, with guided tours lasting 3.5 hours. Former political prisoners often guide many of the tours, providing their perspective on life in the prison. The tour takes you through the prison, including Nelson Mandela’s former cell, whilst guides share their first-hand experiences in the harsh facilities. The Robben Island Museum gives visitors a reflective experience honouring South Africa’s deep-rooted history.
Price: R400 – R600 per adult, R210 – R310 per child (under 18)
The Robben Island Museum, Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 9 am to 3 pm
Address: Robben Island, Cape Town, 7400
Website:https://www.robben-island.org.za/
Contact: 021 413 4200
Zeitz MOCAA 🎨


The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, located on Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, has the largest collection of African art in the world. Zeitz MOCAA consists of 100 galleries spanning 9 floors offering insightful pieces honouring Africa and its diaspora. The museum occupies the historic Grain Silo Complex, a structure abandoned in the 1990s, which stands as a testament to Cape Town’s industrial past. The permanent collection, established in 2015, focuses on contemporary artistic practices ranging from canvas artworks to photograph prints to sculptures.
Through its Zeitz MOCAA Centre for Art Education, the museum fosters education and accessibility, offering workshops and classes for aspiring artists. For visitors, the cafe offers light meals and refreshments with an expansive view of the V&A Waterfront. In addition, the museum shop offers curated items such as handmade African goods, prints and books—perfect for souvenir collectors. Zeitz MOCAA offers an eclectic experience showcasing the essence of Africa and its diaspora, making it a must-visit for art enthusiasts and casual travellers alike!
Price: R250 for adults & free for children under 18
Free entry on Wednesdays from 10 am to 1 pm for African citizens
Zeitz MOCAA, Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday,10 am to 5.30 pm
Address: S Arm Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001
Website:https://zeitzmocaa.museum/
Contact: 087 350 4777
The Slave Lodge 🏚️

The Slave Lodge is one of the oldest buildings in Cape Town and serves as a powerful reminder of South Africa’s history of slavery. The Dutch East India Company built the lodge, in 1679, to house 9000 enslaved people from Asia and Africa. Today, the museum pays homage to enslaved people’s resilience and aims to raise awareness of the injustices they faced. The museum includes temporary and permanent exhibitions addressing human rights, social justice and historical memory.
The exhibition, Rooms of Memory, contains personal stories and belongings. Additionally, the upper floors feature smaller exhibitions, displaying Tang Dynasty ceramics, Egyptology collections, and Cape silver displays. The Slave Lodge is a sobering experience connecting its visitors with South African history and the enduring human spirit.
Entry: R40 – R60
The Slave Lodge, Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 to 5 pm and Saturday, 8.30 to 4 pm
Address: Corner Adderley Street &, Wale St, Cape Town, 8000
Website:https://www.iziko.org.za/museums/slave-lodge/
Contact: 021 467 7227
District Six Museum 🏘️

The District Six Museum is shows the tragedy of apartheid’s forced removals of over sixty thousand people of colour in the Cape Town neighbourhood, District Six. The museum exhibits historical artefacts showcasingthe diverse community with a mosaic of photographs, paintings and personal. The exhibitions salute the resilience of the District Six community and aim to preserve its memory.
Also, the museum empowers the original residents of District Six as they offer guided storytelling tours giving a personal touch to the experience. Whilst a solemn subject, the museum honours the culture and community of people disempowered by apartheid and has since become a voice in social justice advocacy. The District Six Museum is a powerful tribute to those affected by Apartheid offering a poignant educational experience.
Price: R60 – R75 (Guided Site Walks – R130)
District Six Museum, Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday, 9 am to 4 pm
Address: 25A Buitenkant Street, District Six, Cape Town, 8000
Website:https://www.districtsix.co.za/
Contact: 021 466 7200
Heart of Cape Town 🏥

Located in the Groote Schuur Hospital, the Heart of Cape Town Museum honours one of the greatest medical moments in history, the world’s first successful heart transplant. In 1967, surgeon Christiaan Barnard and his team performed a human-to-human heart transplant operation pivoting medicine into the modern era. Since its opening in 2007, the museum has preserved the history of this transformative event that brought Cape Town global recognition.
Heart of Cape Town peeks into the history of the event with timeline displays and the original surgery theatre replicating the operation. A trained guide will describe the dramatic events with the help of exhibitions of silicone life-like models replicating Barnard and his team. This is an educational experience showing visitors a prolific moment in the history of Cape Town.
Price: R190 – R400 per adult, R60 – R100 per child
Heart of Cape Town, Opening Hours: Mondays to Fridays. Guided Tours at 9 am, 11 am and 1 pm (bookings essential)
Address: Groote Schuur Hospital, Main Road, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925
Website:https://heartofcapetown.co.za/
Contact: 021 404 1967
Bo Kaap Museum 📬


The Bo Kaap Museum showcases South Africa’s Islamic heritage and the history of Cape Malay culture. The museum is situated in one of the earliest homes built in the Bo Kaap neighbourhood. It is believed that emancipated enslaved people painted Bo Kaap’s iconic colourful houses as an act of rebellion. The museum, established in 1978, is a cultural monument signifying the resilience of communities of colour in the face of apartheid.
The house is furnished and depicts the lifestyle of Muslim families at the time. The exhibitions include artefacts such as kitchen items, trinkets and the house’s unique architecture. Afterwards, exploring the Bo Kaap neighbourhood is a must! With steep cobbled streets, vibrant culture and authentic Cape Malay cuisine, there is a lot to discover and explore.
Price: R40 – R60
Bo Kaap Museum, Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm and Saturdays, 8.30 am to 4 pm
Address: 71 Wale St, Schotsche Kloof, Cape Town, 8001
Website:https://www.iziko.org.za/museums/bo-kaap-museum/
Contact: 021 481 3938
Cape Town Science Museum 🔬


The Cape Town Science Centre may not be a typical museum however it is a lovely place to learn and have fun. The centre is located in Observatory making it easily accessible and close to other attractions. With over 250 interactive exhibits, the CTSC promotes visitor engagement through hands-on learning. The exhibits offer lego-building, robotics programming, physics experiments and so much more. It is the ideal stop for families, creating a fascinating experience for people of all ages.
The dedicated planetarium and space exploration exhibit is a standout feature offering interactive displays about planets, stars and space missions. Other popular exhibits include the human gyroscope and the sound & music displays. The CTSC decides on their activities and displays according to South African school’s science curriculum! This centre is the ideal stop for visitors seeking pure enjoyment whilst interacting with the culture of Capetonian science fans.
Price: R95
Cape Town Science Centre, Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 4.30 pm
Address: 370B Main Rd, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925
Website:https://www.ctsc.org.za/
Contact: 021 300 3200
The Norval Foundation 🗿


Set in the flourishing Tokai suburb, the Norval Foundation is a contemporary art museum and sculpture garden showcasing African art. The museum was established in 2018 and offers a well-rounded experience with features such as its library and outdoor amphitheatre. The foundation is dedicated to research, exhibition and education of contemporary visual art from South Africa. Compared to other art museums, Norval Foundation’s natural setting provides guests with a refreshing and tasteful experience.
The Sculpture Garden is one of their most notable exhibitions, showcasing a range of contemporary sculptures placed throughout the estate’s lawns. However, the indoor exhibit displays a wide range of artworks from leading South African artists. Grub & Vine, the foundation’s on-site restaurant, offers a bistro-style menu with a fantastic wine list! Whether you’re interested in art or looking for a peaceful retreat, this museum is a must-visit to explore and reflect!
Price: R100 – R300 per adult (Free for children under 18)
The Norval Foundation, Opening Hours: Wednesday to Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday and Public Holidays, 10 am to 4 pm
Address: 4 Steenberg Rd, Tokai, Cape Town, 7945
Website:https://www.norvalfoundation.org/
Contact: 087 654 5900
The Cape Heritage Museum 🏰


The Cape Heritage Museum is located at the historic Castle of Good Hope which is named a national heritage site and the oldest colonial building in South Africa. The Dutch East India Company originally built this historical monument as a military fortress and administrative building. The museum houses many exhibits educating guests on various topics, such as the lives of religious exiles, Cape Malay heritage, and indigenous Khoi traders.
The Cape Heritage Museum aims to narrate the unedited history of South Africa teaching its guests about Dutch colonialism, emancipation of slavery, Indigenous histories and apartheid. It emphasises cross-cultural histories and their impact on South Africa’s cultural and political heritage. This is an unmissable stop for those interested in Cape Town;s historical eras over the past 400 years.
Price: R50
The Cape Heritage Museum, Opening Hours: Daily, 9 am to 4 pm
Address: Corner Darling &, Buitenkant St, Cape Town, 7925
Website: https://slaveheritagemuseum.org/
Contact: 082 386 3778
Cape Town museums offer a journey through South African history, culture, and innovation. Not only do these institutions preserve the city’s past, but they also celebrate its present and future, allowing tourists and locals to understand the Mother City. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a local rediscovering the city, these museums promise a lasting impression of Cape Town’s legacy.